government
States could opt out of health reform provision under federal bill
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Feb. 14, 2011
A bill introduced on Feb. 1 by Sen. John Barrasso, MD (R, Wyo.), would allow states to adopt legislation to opt out of the health system reform law's Medicaid expansion, its requirement for employers to provide insurance, and its mandate for individuals to have minimum levels of health coverage.
"Instead of requiring states to follow Obamacare's one-size-fits-all health care policy, our bill lets states decide what works best for them," said Dr. Barrasso, who introduced the legislation with Sen. Lindsey Graham (R, S.C.). The measure, known as the State Health Care Choice Act, has one other co-sponsor.
Graham said he's confident many states would choose to reject provisions of the health reform law. "As more states opt out, it will have the effect of repealing and replacing Obamacare."
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/02/14/gvbf0214.htm.
